Thermostatically controlled device



June 1936- J. A. SPENCER THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shet 1 FIG. 2.

Original Filed Aug. 22, 1934 FIG-.1.

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June 30, 1936.

Original Filed Aug. 22, 1934 FIG.8.

FI-GQQ J. A. SPENCER THERMOSTATI CALLY CONTROLLED DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 30, 1936 PATENT OFFICE THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED DEVICE John A. Spencer, Newtonville, Mass., assignor to General Plate Company, Attleboro, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application August 22, 1934, Serial No. 740,878. Divided and this application April 29, 1935, Serial No. 18,810 1 6 Claims.

This invention relates to thermostatically controlled devices, and with regard to certain more specific features, to thermostatic valves, vanes, dampers, and the like.

' This application is a division of application Serial No. 740,878, filed August 22, 1934, for Thermostat.

Amongthe several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a thermostatic valve embodying a thermostatic element which is also a valve closure element, the change of curvature of the thermostatic element in response to temperature variation being translated into valve operative movement thereof; the provision of a thermostatic valve, vane, or damper assembly which is unusually simple in construction and eificient in operation; and the provision of a new and simplified system of cooling internal combustion engines and the like. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Theinvention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of.elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in'the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be, indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the Fig. 1 embodiment, and taken substantially along line 22 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating the valve of that embodiment in an alternative position;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross section through the Fig. 4 embodiment, and taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating the valve of that embodiment in an alternative position; I

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a third embodiment of the invention, similar to the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section taken on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 8, but illustrating the valve in an alternative position; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, embodying the present invention.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 through 3, numeral 61 indicates a pipe or like cylindrical member. Numeral 69 indicates a dished or non-developable, composite thermostatic metal, snap-acting disc, of the type described in my Patent No. 1,448,240, dated March 1 3, 1923. Extending from diametrically opposed points on the periphery of the disc 69 are projections 1|, drilled to receive a wire 13, the ends of which are non-rotatably secured, as by soldering, in the walls of the pipe 61. The wire 13 is curved to conform to the curvature of the disc 69, and is attached thereto at a point slightly displaced from the geometrical center thereof (see Fig. 2) by a rivet 15, through which the wire passes. The two points H and the point comprise three points determining an oblique section of the curved surface represented by the disc 69, as is characteristic of all of the embodiments of the present invention. The importance of this arrangement will appear hereinafter. The hole 11 in the rivet 15 which accommodates the wire 13 may either be made as a yoke or close fitting depending upon the effect desired. The disc 69 is of such shape that it closes the pipe 67 when in the transverse position indicated in Figures 1 and 2 to as great an extent as is desired within practically feasible limits.

When, now, the temperature rises to such an extent that the bimetallic disc 69 reverses its curvature, it can do this only by rotating about the stationary wire 13 and assuming a position longitudinal, to a greater or less extent, to the axis of the pipe 61. This position is shown in Fig. 3.

The arrangement as thus described constitutes a thermostatic valve, vane, or damper of almost ultimate simplicity. 'The disc is its own closure" element. When it is positioned transverse to the, pipe, it means that the valve is closed; when positioned longitudinally in the pipe, the valve is wide open. Its movement between open and closed position is simple and is achieved directly in response to temperature change, without resort to intermediate motion transmitting elements, etc.

In connection with the operation of this emface in the form of av given curve having an.

surface having a curvature. For purposes of definition, it will be stated that a normal to this mathematical surface'is a. line intersecting the surface and perpendicular to a plane tangent to the surface at the point of intersection. Any plane that contains this normal line is called a normal plane, and the line of intersection of this normal plane with the surface is called a normal section of the surface. Any plane which intersects the surface and which contains no normal lines, is termed an oblique plane, and the line of intersection of such an oblique plane with the surface is called an obliquesection of the surface. Now, it is a mathematical proposition that, if it is possible at all (depending upon the nature of the given curve), a plane may be passed through a given point on a surface so as to cut that $111? assigned form only by taking the cutting plane, in general, in a definite position.

The invention embodies the above-stated geometry. The axial lineal element,'or wire 13, is hypothetically a curve of assigned form or forms, and, by reason of its articulation to the bimetallic disc 69 (the curved surface), it corresponds to a section curve of the surface. The wire is, if it is a plane curve, determines a plane which is an oblique plane (it cannot be normal for reasons to be advanced hereinafter). Since the wire is substantially stiff, the shape of the curve of the wire 73 tends to be maintained. However, the shape (or curvature) of the disc 69'does alter in response to-temperature changes. In the abstract, mathematical sense, a second form orcurvature of the disc 69 is a new surface,

and, in order that the shape curve of the wire 13 shall conformto this new surface and to an oblique section thereof, or parallel to the oblique section but displaced therefrom, it is necessary that the hypothetical oblique plane containing the wire i3 shall move to a new positionof obliquity the motion involving a rotation through a definite angle determined by the extent of change of curvature of .the disc 59. Expressed concretely, this rotation of the hypothetical plane to a new angle of obliquity is a rotation of the disc ta relative to the wire 73, with a consequent change of position of the disc til to that shown in Fig. 3. I

While the wire it? theoretically represents a complete lineal section of the curved .disc ca,

there is practically no need for it to be complete, it being suficient that it comprise three points of contact with the disc 69 (the projections ii and the rivet 715), because three points geometrically serve to locate definitely their corresponding oblique section of the disc 69), and in addition also define the oblique, hypothetical plane which changes its angle of obliquity. Hence, from a practical standpoint, the shape of the wire it" least, would produce a. dead center condition;

7 the lineal-element so positioned would resist relative movement between it and the curved surface,

the normality producing, instead of a force tendthe disc 69 to the pipe 67.

traverse to a more-or-less longitudinal position,

need not necessarily be made snap-acting, as is customary with non-developable discs of this general type. For valve or damper, usage, it is frequently more desirable that the closure element undergo a gradual opening and shutting, this providing, in place of only a full-open and full-shut position, a series of throttling positions ,wherein the volume passed by the valve is proportional, to a certain extent, to the ambient temperature. A dished. disc of the type disclosed may be made non-snap-acting by reducing its preformed, curvature to a minimum (in other words, approaching as nearly as possible a plane disc) and/or by so heat-treating the disc that it is not strained in the manner required for snap action.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate another embodiment of this thermostat-valve. The pipe 61 and disc 69 are the same as in the Fig. lembodiment, as are the projections H from the disc 69. However, instead of the wire 13, this embodiment uses separate, short bearings 19 to rotatably secure At the center of the disc 69 is mounted a rivet 8|, which has a pair of projections83 extending therefrom. A pin 85 rotatably holds a connecting link 81 between the projections 83. The other end of the link 81 is similarly pinned between projections 89 supported ona standard9i mounted on the pipe walls 61 (see the dotted. lines in Fig.5) The projections 83 extend at an angle from the axis of the rivet 8i, so that the point of attachment of the link 8? to the disc 69 is effectively displaced from the hypothetical axis through the bearings 19. 45

When the disc 69, in this embodiment, reaches a temperature such that it must reverse its curva ture, it can do this only by at the same time rotating on the bearings 19, and thus moving from as shown in Fig. 6. Thus, in operation, the embodiment of Fig. 4 is quitegsimilar to that 'of Fig. i. t

This embodiment is illustrative of a further possible variation in the manner of carrying out the underlying principles of the invention. In the former embodiments, the points determining the oblique section of the curved surface have been illustrated as points on or parallel to the surface, in the interest of simplicity. In the present embodiment, however, the three points, which are the two bearings 19 and the pin 85, are not disposed parallel to the surface of disc 69, pin 85 being displaced therefrom an appre;

ciable distance. However, these three points still determine a hypothetical oblique plane which intersects thecurved surface, by definition, in an obiique section. The selection of the point of attachment of the rivet. BI to the disc 69 (thecenter, in the present embodiment) is thus seen to be subject to some variation so long as the point 85 is positioned, in cooperation with the two points 19, so as to determine an oblique plane with respect to the disc 69. The amount H change of curvature obviously depends upon the location of the three points relative to each other and the relative angle of obliquity of the plane they determine.

A further variation to be noted with respect to the present embodiment is that there is no direct connection (such as a wire) between the three points l5, l9, and 85, but these points are connected together only indirectly by the cylinder 61, bracket 9|, and link 81'. It will be recalled that it has heretofore been predicted that the shape of the wire (or other element) between the three points of articulation is subject to wide choice on the part of the designer. This embodiment illustrates such prediction.

It will be noted that when a wire or bentshaft is used its disposition between the three points must be such that it will not interfere with the change of curvature of the disc 69.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a practical variation of the embodiment of Figures 1, 2, and 3. It has been found in practice that it is difiicult to obtain a complete shut-ofi of the cylinder 61 with a circular valve-disc 69 as shown in Fig. 1. This is because the circular shape, in order to be movable at all within the cylinder 61, must be slightly less in diameter than the inner diameter of the cylinder, and, being so, it cannot effectively seat to assure a complete shut-off unless special seats are provided on the inside walls of the cylinder. In the embodiment of Figures 7, 8, and 9 this problem is taken care of by providing an elliptical disc 93 in place of the circular disc 69. When in closed position (Fig. 8) the elliptical form seats on the cylinder walls throughout the preponderant part of its periphthe points 1|, 1|, and 15. The attachment of the disc 93 to the cylinder 61 is the same as that shown in Fig.' 1, and the action is essentially the same.

Fig. 10 shows, in diagrammatic form, one of the practical applications of the embodiments of the. invention shown in Figures 1 through 9. This is an internal combustion engine cooling system; more specifically, an automobile engine cooling system.. Numeral ll! indicates the engine jacket. Numeral 9 indicates the cooling radiaton, A connection I2l joins the upper part of the engine jacket I I! to the upper part of the radiator H 9, a valve I23 (01' the type of any of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 9) being interposed in the connection I2l. A lower connection I25 joins the lower end of the radiator H9 to a water pump I21, which in turn returns the water, under pressure, to the engine jacket Hl.

The valve I23 is so arranged that when the water in the system is below a certain temperature, said valve is closed, while if the water is above that temperature, the valve is open. Upon maximum operating efficiency of the engine and maintains a sufficiently high temperature even in cold weather so that hot water from the engine closes said cylinder, and upon reversal of curva- -a dished composite thermostatic metal disc,

the several systems of this type now in use in 5 the automotive field. The valve of the present invention works equally well with theseother systems.

In all of the embodiments of the invention, as

shown in the drawings, the extent of curvature of the various thermostatic elements has been exaggerated relative to their size, in order more clearly to show the effects of the change of curvature. In practical embodiments of the invention, these curvatures are relatively slight. This is of particular importance because, with the curva tures actually shown, a few reversals of curvature might be attended by a breaking-off of the projection H. In practice, the bending moments on the projections II incident to reversal of curvature are quite slight, so that the breakingofi does not take place.

It is also tobe noted that the thicknesses of the plates throughout the drawings have been greatly exaggerated with respect to the sizes of 26 the plates, in order to show more clearly their bimetallic construction where such (specifically) is used.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and 30 other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A thermostatic valve comprising a cylinder, a dished, composite thermostatic metal disc, mounting means for said disc comprising a wire articulated to the disc at substantially opposite points on the periphery thereof, and at a point near the center but displaced from the plane normal to said disc passing through said points on the periphery, said wire being non-rotatably secured to said cylinder at the ends thereof, whereby said disc in one position substantially ture of said disc, said disc is forced to rotate about said wire to a position in which said cylinder is open for passage therethrough.

2. A thermostatic valve comprising a, cylinder,

means for mounting said disc in. said cylinder comprising separate pins mounted in the cylinder walls and articulated to the disc at substantially opposite points on the periphery thereof, a rigid standard mounted in the cylinder, and a link articulated to the rigid standard and to a central point on the disc effectively displaced from the plane normal to said disc passing through said points on the periphery, whereby said disc, in one position, substantially closes said cylinder, and upon reversal of curvature of said disc, said disc is forced to rotate to a position in which said cylinder is open for passage therethrough.

3. A thermostatic valve comprising a cylinder, valve closure means in said cylinder comprising a thermostatic plate the curvature of which changes in response to temperature variations, means mounting said thermostatic plate in said cylinder, said means being articulated to said thermostatic plate, said means containing three spaced points determining a non-normal plane straight line position with respect to each other to the thermostatic plate, said three points aiways during changes of curvature of said thermostatic maintaining a non-linear relationship. plate, whereby, upon change of curvature of said A thermostatic valve comprising 'a cylinder, 1 thermostatic plate, the angle of obliquity of said 5 a valve closure element in said cylinder comprishypothetical plane changes. 5

,ing a thermostatic plate the curvature of which 5. A thermostatic'valve as set forth in claim 3, changes in response to temperature variations, in which the thermostatic plate comprises a nonmeans mounting said plate insaid cylinder. said developable disc. means being articulated to said plate, said means 6. A thermostatic valve as set forth in claim 4,

10 containing at least three spaced points, said in, which the thermostatic plate comprises a non- 10 points determining a hypotheticai plane which idevelopable thermostatic disc. is oblique to the thermostatic plate at certain temperatures, said three points never reaching a V JOHN A. SPENCER. 

